I wonder how soon Adams Road will be nothing but signs, lights, brick and mortar
and absolutely nothing that it use to be which was scenic and natural.
The views, enough space for nature and the enjoyment of driving that road are pretty much gone and the decline continues still. It is a shame that developers don't rehab areas of vacant stores first, and strip malls that are marginal and failing--why not take land that is already built on, an eyesore or declining with multiple vacancies, raise it and build there? Some development may be smaller, but at least it would be better placed. If this goes through, what parcel is next? And the big question is, is it going to be affordable in this day and age? Many seniors can not afford to Iive in these retirement structures as they are too expensive for the average retiree. The area being talked about was served better the way it was.

Congrats to Bob SIrna for a great fight, I hope we are more successful at the next step in the process. This development is just a bad idea in a bad place.

I also congratulate Bob Sirna for his extensive efforts. I was at the meeting last night, the way I understood it, this will be one of the largest, if not the largest, senior living centers in Oakland County. Yes, there are no such centers in Oakland Township, or others like it for that matter, this is what makes Oakland Township so unique and rural and why so many come to live from high density communities. I do not live anywhere close to this area and will not impacted by this facility on a day to day basis, however, I feel if this ultimately goes through, and the Board of Trustees approves this proposal, in it's current state, at such a high density, Oakland Twp. will set a precedent and pandora's box will be opened despite what the Township attorney said. Past ordinances were quoted by both sides and this will be quoted for future developments. First we loose the Mill Race dam impacting so many residents and tax payers, and also setting a precedent about property rights, or the lack thereof. Now this. Remember fellow residents of Oakland Twp., this is an election year, hold your Boards and Commissioners accountable. If you don't like the direction Oakland Twp. is taking, make your voice heard at the August 7th primary when these Board Members will be challenged!

What saddens me is this kind of major development, major expenditure of capital that is being spent for our seniors is being spent in the middle of know where. It will take some form of transportation ie. gas to get to a nice dinner or shopping. These kind of developments should be more suited for downtowns like Rochester where are seniors would not be held hostage to rising fuel cost and could have the fun and enjoyment to walk, bike or hoveround to shops, entertainment, fairs and restaurants...that's the 21th century trend in senior development. This development is very "old school planning".

I strongly agree with the last post.

Are you people for real? This is what the area is master planned for. If I had the same attitude as most of you when your developments were being proposed you would not be living here now. Most of you are the reason for the heavy traffic on Adams. The Moceri's have always done first class developments in Oakland Township. Leave your opinions to yourselves and maybe this development will put some carpenters, plumber, electricians and other people to work, we sure could use it. Oh, I forgot all the people living in that area probably have all the money they need.

Sandra,

Sorry you misinterpreted my post...and it was just to criticize our mayor. One only needs to look on my Rochester Media post to see were I stood on the candidates...please read that opinion I'm sure you will have second thoughts on my opinion for Bryan Barnett. I wish him well he only has 3.5 years left to serve as mayor of Rochester Hills. I was only referring to our city charter the authority of our master plan lies with the mayors office and if you have concerns with the document take it to him not city council. Overlay zoning I do have concerns with and this type of development will affect all three communities Rochester Hills, Rochester and Oakland Township. And if this project is approved by the Oakland Township trustees it will have a major impact on all our communities. Sandra thanks for your post the Patch is a great place for constructive debate.

Scot, really? How can you compare a senior citizen housing project to a srip club? If you read my post I indicated that this is what it was Master Planned for, not currently zoned for, there is a difference. And yes I do think that any type of development that is planned for, properly and professionally laid out is good for the economy and should be encouraged. I have been a resident of Oakland Township for over 30 years and again if I had your attitude when your development was being proposed and I went to the Rochester Hills Plannning Commission meetings maybe there would not be so much traffic on Adams Road now!!! Thats Real.

Although I disagree with many of the arguments against this project, I actually think it's a bad idea because in 20 years when the baby boomers have passed there will be tens of thousands of mostly empty senior communities around the US that will quickly fall into disrepair.

Christopher, thanks for the post was having a "fun" conversation with John about jobs had nothing to do with NIMBY. I sincerely respect John's opinion...blanket statements about job creation to fuel urban sprawl I feel not a good argument for jobs. Also a master plan is what it says a "plan" a zoning map is a legal document that regulates land use...let's hope the Township Trustees make the right decision.

For those residents curious on the mechanics of how local governments work and how they interface with their constituents to provide representation without bias and to the highest level of personal integrity we demand of our children - plan to attend the next Oakland Twp Trustees meeting; Feb 14 and 28.

Remember everyone, there were at least 15,000 other residents in Oakland Township that either had no problem with the development or maybe even was in favor of it and actually are RESIDENTS and TAXPAYERS of Oakland Township.

I am not an Oakland Twp resident, but live very close to where this complex will be. Legally I have no say in this issue.

However, if people want this to be open land then they should break out their checkbook and purchase the property, then they can keep it as a rural area. Moceri has made huge investments in this area and all of them have been first class and increased the value of the area with high profile beautiful properties.

They followed the process, the law, and then got this approved. They have made an investment and have a high standard for their properties. I feel very comfortable that they will do a great job on this property and as my parents look for this type of place to live I will consider their offering.

I am and have been a tax paying resident in Oakland Township since 1984. Previously I grew up in Avon Township now Rochester Hills. If Mr. Moceri wants to develop his land, let him do so without changing the zoning. I left Rochester Hills to live on acreage as I do now. Too crowded. Too many rules. I split off some of my land and sold it. I built a home on the remaining. I did my development within the existing zoning. My objection to the project is the obvious packing in many more residences than current zoning allows. The higher density maximizes profit for the developer. It may not be profitable for him under current zoning. TOUGH! The last time this happened we had a special election to defeat the zoning. Then Mr. Moceri filed a $20 Million dollar law suit against the township (me the tax payer).

He is completely welcome to do anything within current zoning. That is his right.

This takes an lengthy response - so I will have to come back later... but for now: there are governmental processes in place to allow for builders, developers, residents, etc. to petition for rezoning. That is called "petition" the planning commission. (PC; is an appointed body of local citizens reviews application submissions (rezoning, site plans, developments, etc..) and sends approval or denial recommendations to the Township Board of Trustees. There are guiding principles ("Master Plan" and the inherit character and legacy of our township) the PC and TWP must follow for there to be equitably judgment in these petitions. I would recommend that those of you "on the fence" or think those against BR are just plain "bad" people - take time and look at the Master Plan in the TWP office and ask the clerk to review the BR plans vs. the 61 home current zoning. I'll comment more on the pressure tactics of the developer and fortitude of our PC later...

Daryl; let's just start off with respectful dissagreement here. We are Oakland Township NOT a city. I have a sizeable investment of time and money in my residence and the community. I like to see what is left of the stars at night. I like the sound of the horses my neighbor has a quarter mile away. NO a thousand times NO. I will not forefit some of my quality of life for another mans profit. And that is what this is about. The zoning change is about profit and nothing more than profit.

We have a process to keep the zoning as well. Last time we had a special election, the zoning change went down 2-to-1. The current master plan came to be after I built and is still too much development for my likes. We have too much vacant commercial space now. We have too many unbuilt homes in developments that should NEVER have been started. We has several UGLY above gournd water reserviors to serve these developments. We have too much light pollution at night.

It is not an arguement. It is a stance on my quality of life and what I can do to keep it.

His investment will hurt mine!

Thanks Daryl: posting with a real identity subdues some of the non-productive rhetoric, I believe this project will be built. I don't see the uproar that Harvest Corners had. From an engineering perspective it is probably the best place to put this development. (probably going to get flack for that) There is at least one 12" Detroit City water main that just pokes north of Dutton on Adams road. Plenty of Detroit River water. There are sewer mains available to take that water back to the river. Being on a hill top and on the Detroit system may have low pressure consequences in the future unless they tie into community wells north of there. There is no easy access to any shopping. That is a down side. But then Sisters of Mercy Bellebrook is similar in that respect.

There are more steps in this process so please pay attention. Mr Moceri tends to slip in about 10% to 15% more units than previously approved at the last minute. He did this with HC and that produced some ire with at least one trustee. The modified proposal came out the morning of one of the last votes. I didn't care for that last minute switching. Stay tuned. Almost 300 units on that parcel and on a hill top will look BIG. From Dutton all views are up. He has to comply with code height restrictions but my prediction... you won't like it.

Marty...sorry should have been smart enough to see thru the sarcasm please forgive me; have a great weekend...and thanks for your post.

Marty, were on the same page...just how you explained where the water comes from and were it goes was "fun". Have a great weekend.

I attended the last meeting and it is evident, Mr. Moceri is trying to deflect attention away from the topic of density. When asked a valid question about density by a Planning Commissioner, he chose one again to skim this area and say she was blinded by density. The average cost for a single unit in an assisted living facility is $2,000 to $6,000 per month. With this fact of course he doesn't want to reduce density to reflect the natural beauty of Oakland Township, more units more money in his pockets.

The Blossom Ridge developer has a long history of positive development in Oakland Township. However his current proposal is a significant departure from Oakland Township’s Density and Character. Blossom Ridge, as now proposed, does not conform to the guidelines of the Township Master Plan and its zoning statute. It is significantly more dense, at over 7.3 units per acre, and the traffic generated because of this density will be higher overall than a subdivision of single family homes. A senior community with a density within the Master Plan guide lines, 3 - 5 units per acre, would create significantly less traffic than a subdivision at this location. The lower density would allow the developer to craft a development that would be in keeping with Oakland Township’s character; i.e. a rural residential community. The township board should reject the proposal as currently submitted and send a clear message to the developer to present a new proposal that enhances the residential character of Oakland Township. Bob Sirna, 21 year Oakland Township resident.

Most people have not known some of the history behind the initial subdivision developments in the township. About 18-20 years ago there was a plan by the state to build a prison here. So, the township residents wanted to have subdivisions to make this a residential community. And once you open up to subdivision building, it may be hard to stop the growth. There were 58 residential building permits issued in the township in 2012. At this rate, the people living in subdivisions will outnumber the others and would want other amenities like gas stations etc. Whether it is perceived as good or bad news, it is perhaps only a matter of time when things change here. Larger corporations like Pulty will certainly check the master plan and build as many homes as they can compared to a good builder like Moceri who is building quality homes here. I am not taking any sides but stating the facts. This is probably a lost cause! Sooner or later the political landscape at the town hall will change and things may also change with it.

John, NOTHING is ever a "lost cause." "WE the people" means alot. Make your presence known and your voices heard at the March13th meeting of the Trustees. Your right on one thing, sooner or later political landscapes do change and elections have consequences. VOTE August 7th at the Primary to have your voices heard. Responsible growth is not a lost cause. Thank you for your comments John! It's good to have debate on this...

Additionally, the senior safety issue the petitioner keeps referring to from the August 11 posting - was taken from the Alzheimer's Association handbook provided to law enforcement officers working near senior living centers. And YES - they caution about wanders, lost patients and related safety issues. Its an easy read for the petitioner - may take 10 minutes.